Pubdate: Tue, 14 May 2002
Source: Hutchinson News, The (KS)
Copyright: 2002 The Hutchinson News
Contact:  http://www.hutchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1551
Author: Lori Kurtzman

HALSTEAD TACKLES DRUG CONCERNS

School Board Closes Lunch, Allows Random Dog Searches Of Vehicles, Lockers 
Next Year

HALSTEAD - Facing survey results that showed marijuana and alcohol use in 
the district was slightly higher than state averages, the Halstead/Bentley 
school board Monday night voted to close school lunch and allow dogs to 
randomly search vehicles and lockers next school year.

But Halstead High School Principal Gene Haydock said the idea to use dogs 
from the nationwide program Interquest Detection Canines came long before 
the 2001 results of the "Kansas Communities that Care Survey," which 
questioned students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. "I don't know that we have a 
huge need," Haydock said, "but it's an education program that provides 
assurance."

The survey showed, among other things, that in the high school, 28 percent 
of those questioned said they'd been drunk or high at least once at school 
in the last year. Of all four grades, that percentage was 17.That compared 
to a state average of 11 percent and a Harvey County total of 9.6 percent.

The district's percentage of alcohol and marijuana use - as well as the 
students' ability to obtain alcohol or cigarettes - was also notably higher 
than the state average, according to the survey numbers provided by the 
district.

The results showed that the district had room for improvement, said USD 440 
Superintendent Tom Bishard, but were only a small factor - if any - in 
Monday night's board decisions.

"I would think probably any school district that felt their students were 
under any risk level whatsoever would be concerned," Bishard said.

Haydock said the talks about bringing dogs in for unannounced searches of 
the school and parking lot began a year ago.

The dogs will look for weapons, drugs and alcohol, and Haydock said the 
animals are keen enough to track down an unopened can of beer inside a 
locked car. The idea is that these searches will deter students from 
bringing in illegal materials, rather than busting them after the fact, he 
said.

Another preventative measure that the board hopes will increase safety and 
decrease substance abuse during the school day also begins in the 2002-03 
school year - students will no longer enjoy the open lunch they've had for 
several years.

The board voted 6 to 1 to close lunch. Carol Denno voted against the motion.

Board president Steve Ratzlaff objected to continuing with an open lunch or 
accepting alternative policies that would allow some seniors to leave 
school for lunch, saying such moves would run contrary to efforts to 
improve survey results.

"We are concerned about the numbers on that survey," he said, "yet we're 
willing to open our lunch and let that happen . . . the two donit coincide."
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MAP posted-by: Beth